DEADLY MAY APPLES
These lovely little umbrellas
that cover the forest floor in Spring
are the toxic American mandrake,
commonly known as "may apples."
Mandrake is the famous herb
of legends and sorcerers.
The roots are poisonous.
The leaves are poisonous.
The buds and flowers are poisonous.
But the ripe fruit (come June)
is a sweet, delicious and edible treat.
Native Americans boiled its lethal roots,
and used its broth to cure stomach ache.
And in Shakespeare's MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM,
mandrake was used to make drops
to put on eye lids to produce
hallucinating effect for deception.
(Such an attractive little plant.)
A mi me parece muy bonita aunque sus efectos no me gustan...
ReplyDeleteEs una planta extraña, pero con encanto!
Un beso!
Very interesting!
ReplyDeleteFirst time I see the leaves!
Belladone is another plant Roman women used for an extra shine in their eyes... also a nice toxic plant! LOL!
Great you have also Orange tips, they are such gorgeous little butterflies!
Cheerio, keep well Rick
I love the interesting stories you share with us along with your pictures.
ReplyDeleteYou're a really good storyteller.
xx
so interesting
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing all that
they are attractive indeed
They are like natures little umbrellas.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to say exactly what the above comment says. So I won't say it again. :)
ReplyDelete